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'I don't like to talk about players who are not here,' said Conte, speaking for the first time since the infamous text message sent to Costa at the end of the season to inform him he would be allowed to leave.

'In January, the Costa situation was made very clear. For the club, for him and his agent and for me the situation is closed.'

Costa was top scorer last season with 20 goals in the Premier League as Chelsea won the title.

He wants to return to his former club Atletico Madrid and has been granted an extended summer break in order to complete the transfer.

Having missed out on Romelu Lukaku, who joined Manchester United for £90m, Chelsea have signed Alvaro Morata as his replacement.

The Italian manager put his players through their paces on Friday ahead of the Arsenal match

Brazilian David Luiz performs keepy-ups in Chelsea training at the Bird's Nest Stadium

Pedro will be hoping to get minutes under his belt on Saturday against Arsene Wenger's side

Morata, who underwent a medical in London on Thursday, will cost a club record fee which starts at £58million and could rise to £70m.

'For sure this transfer market is crazy,' said Conte. 'Not only for this season, but now if you want to buy a simple player - a normal player - you have to start to think about spending 40 to 50 million euros.

'It's incredible this situation but there is this situation and we must live with it.

'Lukaku cost a lot of money but the same with [Alex] Lacazette and Arsenal who spent 65m euros. For a right-back you spend 60-70m euros. This is the situation now.

'We must be very good and not make a mistake when we buy a player. You have to spend a lot and it is very important to make the right choice.'